Chapter 3: Dealing with the Devil

Mother was furious when she caught Regina returning to their rooms. She had demanded to know where her daughter had been. Regina told her the truth and Mother's face had gone red. "You agreed to the marriage without our consent?"

"It was my decision to make, Mother," Regina argued. "You heard Lord Locksley."

"He's an imbecile who put foolish thoughts in your head. You're our child and we have the say in your future." Mother pointed between herself and Daddy, who had been drawn to the room by the shouting.

Regina frowned. "You're just upset because I've taken control away from you."

"How dare you!" Mother raised her hand and Regina felt her body become immobile. She was raised a few feet off the ground and though she shook, she didn't fight it. Years of experience had taught her that never worked.

Mother shook her head. "Look at what you make me do, Regina. All I want for you is to be a good girl. Why can't you do that?"

"I have been a good girl, Mother," Regina gasped out. "I've done everything you've asked. I was even going to marry the king even though I didn't want to."

"You resisted that at every turn and look, he's no longer interested in you."

Regina's body ached from being held in the same position and she was finding it growing harder to breathe. "Please, Mother. Let me go."

"No," Mother replied, pacing. "There may be a way to salvage this yet. I can get Leopold to change his mind and then we can call it off with the Sherwood King."

Daddy stepped in. "She can't do anything if she can't breathe, Cora. Let her down for now."

"Fine." She waved her hand and Regina ended up in a pile on the floor. She coughed and sputtered as she took in gulps of fresh, cool air. Her body shook as Daddy crouched down next to her, rubbing her back while Mother watched.

She huffed. "I'm going to go for a walk. Clean yourself up, Regina, and make yourself presentable before I come back. We have work to do."

Once Mother was gone, Daddy helped her up. "Why don't you go rest, my dear?"

"I don't think I can," Regina replied. "I'm not safe as long as she's around. And you're not either."

Daddy sighed. "I've survived your mother this long. I think I can continue doing so."

"But you don't have to. When I wrote to the king, I said I would only agree to the marriage if he agreed to let you come live with us. Without Mother," Regina told her father.

"I can't just leave my wife," he told her.

"I don't think anyone will blame you, Daddy."

He placed his hand on her cheek. "Go and rest. We'll figure out how to keep you safe until we can get you to Sherwood, far away from your mother."

She nodded before heading to her bed to lay down. Rest didn't come easy, though, as she tried to figure out how to free her father and her from Mother's clutches.

The wedding to Leopold wasn't officially cancelled, something Regina knew her mother was going to seize on. Leopold, though, didn't want to announce that he wasn't marrying Regina until he could also announce she was to marrying King Robert of Sherwood in order to save her family's honor. Regina understood and appreciated his kindness, though she feared it still gave Mother a chance to ruin everything for her.

However, everyone at court realized that wedding plans had ceased and the gossip mill went into overdrive. Mother did her best to assure everyone that Leopold and Regina just wanted everything to be perfect, but it seemed no one was fooled. Regina heard them whispering as she walked past, hearing things about her not being good enough for the king. A few, though, seemed to know more and whispered about her being married off to someone else instead.

One day, though, Snow White burst into Regina's room. She was upset as she hurled himself into the older girl's arms. "Tell me it's not true," she pleaded, tears running down her face.

"What's not true?" Regina pulled out her handkerchief and wiped the princess' face.

"That you're not marrying father and are going to marry a king that lives faraway."

Regina sighed, taking Snow's hand. "I don't know if I'm going to marry the King of Sherwood. I'm still waiting to hear from him."

"So you aren't marrying my father." Snow sniffed.

"No," Regina said, softly. "He and I decided it was best that we marry other people."

Snow frowned. "So you don't want to be my mother?"

Regina was quiet, trying to figure out how best to make the girl understand. "Marrying your father would mean a lot more than just becoming your mother. Things that you wouldn't understand yet, most of which he and I have agreed I'm too young and inexperienced to take on. So he's not asking me to. I know to you I seem to be a grown up, but the truth is we're only eight years apart, Snow. Even if I were to marry your father, I wouldn't be able to guide you through becoming a woman because I'm still navigating it myself. It would be the blind leading the blind and you deserve better than that. You deserve someone who can be a mother, not a sister, just like your father deserves someone who will be his wife, not a second daughter. Do you understand?"

Snow fell quiet for several minutes before she nodded. "And I guess you deserve to marry someone closer in age to you, right? To have someone to love you?"

"Thank you for understanding." Regina tucked some of the girl's dark brown hair behind her ear. She was a sweet, if spoiled, child and Regina found herself growing fonder of her now that she wasn't forced to spend her every waking moment with Snow. So she smiled and said: "Besides, we can still remain friends."

"You promise?" Snow asked, perking up as hope filled her eyes.

Regina nodded. "I do. Even if I do end up marrying the King of Sherwood and moving there, I will always be your friend. Your sister, even. All you have to do is write."

"And you'll write back? Even when you're busy being in love with the king, running a country and being a mother?"

"Yes," she replied, laughing. She took Snow's hand in hers. "I promise that no matter how busy I become, I will always make time for you."

Snow hugged Regina, holding her tight. "Thank you so much, Regina. I'm glad to have a sister like you."

"Me too," Regina whispered, smiling. "Me too."

"Regina! Come quick!" Mother ordered as she entered their rooms. "We don't have much time so don't dawdle."

Regina emerged from her room, frowning. "Is something wrong, Mother? Is it Daddy?"

"Your father is fine, if a complete imbecile." Mother blew out in exasperation before taking Regina by the arms. "The king is going on a ride. And if you hurry, you can go with him."

"Why?"

Mother fixed her with a stern look that told Regina she had asked a stupid question. "Because you can be alone with him. Talk things out. And it involves horses. You never can resist a ride."

It was tempting to go out and saddle Rocinante for a ride, but Regina knew she had to stay firm. She couldn't let her mother interfere. "No," she said. "I won't go."

"Stop being so stubborn, Regina. This is what's best for you. Now change into your riding habit, but not those awful breeches. You will ride side-saddle like a lady today."

Regina shook her head. "This isn't going to work. The king and I are agreed. We are not getting married, even if King Robert doesn't agree to the treaty."

"Enough!" Mother bellowed, storming toward Regina. This time she grabbed her arms, squeezing so hard Regina knew she would have bruises. "I've tolerated this foolishness long enough. You will banish all thoughts of marrying the King of Sherwood and focus on Leopold. Do I make myself clear?"

"Mother, you need to stop. Whatever you've been planning is not going to happen. The king and I won't make each other happy."

Though she didn't think it possible, Mother's grip tightened and Regina gasped from the pain. Mother ignored her, lowering her voice until she was almost hissing. "You listen to me. You need to stop being selfish. Or the people who you claim to love with start paying for it."

"What do you mean?" Regina asked, voice quivering.

"You don't want to ride? Maybe you don't need that horse of yours. Maybe I should have him put down."

Regina's eyes widened and her heart pounded in her chest. "No, Mother, I just don't want to ride today. Please don't hurt Rocinante."

"And why stop there? Your father thinks he saved that stable boy, Daniel, but he didn't. I can still go and crush his heart," Mother continued, a cold but wild glint in her eyes that made it difficult for Regina to catch her breath.

Her knees gave out but Mother held her up, ignoring Regina's sobs and pleas. She smiled instead. "And your father. He's a useless man anyway. We'd all be better off without him."

"No!" Regina gasped. "Leave Daddy alone! I'll be a good girl! I promise, I promise."

"Then you'll forget about the King of Sherwood? Do everything I say in order to win King Leopold back?" Mother released her.

Regina landed in a crumpled pile of clothing and limbs on the floor as she sobbed. "I will, Mother. I'll marry Leopold, just like you want."

"Good," Mother said, straightening her dress. She frowned at Regina. "Clean yourself up. You look a mess."

As she stalked off, Regina curled up as she hugged herself. Her dreams of freedom with the king of Sherwood faded into the nothingness that was engulfing her life yet again.

Leopold summoned Regina a few days later. The king smiled as she entered, oblivious to her distress though she felt like it was a veil covering her face. A heavy presence resided in her stomach as he handed her a sealed letter. "This is for you. From the King of Sherwood."

Her heart sped up as she took the letter, studying the roaring lion imprinted in the red wax. Collapsing into a nearby chair, she broke the seal with a shaking finger and opened the letter. The beige parchment was filled with neat but small handwriting and she eagerly read it.

Dear Regina,

Since you were honest with me, I shall be honest with you. I never thought I'd agree to an arranged marriage. I thought I'd have one like my parents—two halves of a soul that found each other to be whole. However, I never found my other half here at court. But after reading your letter, I believe you may be mine.

I realize that's a lot to put on you already without us meeting and without me knowing you. Especially since you want me to see you as a person. And I do want to get to know you, Lady Regina. I want to know your fears, your dreams, your likes, your dislikes—everything. And I want to share everything about myself with you.

Because I want a partner too. I want someone who I can come to after a rough meeting with my council (which I have already experienced) and she knows without words what is wrong, what I need. Likewise, I want to be able to know every nuance of her and how to make her—make you—happy. I want someone I can talk to until the wee hours of the morning and never grow bored, never run out of conversations, but still feel comfortable just sitting together in silence.

That was a lot of "I wants," I realize. I promise you I'm not a selfish being or at least I try not to be, given how easy it can be as a king. What do you want? What do you expect in a husband? In a friend?

My mother says I'm too romantic, just like my father. But she was happy with him. I hope you can be happy with me. So tell me whatever you want, write to me often and I will write to you just as often. Together, we can work on finding happiness and what it means for you. I will support you every step of your journey. I promise you that.

And I never break my promises.

I cannot wait until you come to Sherwood and we can meet face-to-face. Until then, I remain…

Your friend,

Robert, King of Sherwood

She wanted to cry. This man who was miles away felt a connection with her and wanted to know her better. To know her wants and desires for her future. He wanted her to be happy, something her own mother didn't even care to let her be.

"Regina? Regina, what is wrong?" Leopold sat down next to her and took her hand. "Did he not agree to the marriage?"

"He did. And he wrote such kind words…" She realized as a few drops hit the letter that she was crying.

Leopold handed her his handkerchief. "Then, my dear, what's wrong?"

"I can't marry him. I promised Mother," she admitted.

"I knew I should've exiled her from the palace. Whatever she said or threatened to do, I promise you I will prevent it."

Regina shook her head. "You can't. Daddy is right—she's too powerful. Your guards can't keep her from hurting the people I love. Nor can King Robert's guards."

"I'd like to see her try." Leopold stood, summoning the captain of his guard. "Go to your rooms, Regina. I shall handle everything."

"Please, don't! You'll only make things worse!" Regina pleaded with him, Robert's note clutched in her hand.

The king rested his hands on her shoulder, his smile reminding her of the ones he gave Snow White when imparting fatherly wisdom to her. "I promise you it won't do that. It will all work out, you'll see. Now go back to your rooms and be patient."

"Give me a few days, please," she pleaded. "A few days to prepare myself and my father. That is all I ask."

"A few days it is," he agreed before encouraging her to get some rest for her health. She left, a jumble of thoughts and emotions following her from the room.

Regina did not go back to her rooms. Instead, she went down to the gardens to read King Robert's letter again. The ink seemed imbued with his kindness, filling every word with it. She clutched the parchment to her chest, wanting a future with this man and yet knowing it was impossible. Mother would never allow it.

"Regina? Why are you sad?" Snow asked, approaching her. She carried a basket filled with wildflowers.

Tucking the letter inside her dress, Regina tried to smile. "I'm not sad. I believe it is just the pollen in the air that is causing my eyes to water."

Snow sat down on the bench. "Everyone thinks they need to shelter me because they see me as a child, but I am growing up. People get sad. You don't have to hide it from me, Regina."

It would seem the child had some wisdom Regina had overlooked in her distaste for the whole situation that Mother had orchestrated. She gave Snow a soft smile. "I guess not. I am sad because King Robert wants to marry me."

"But you want to marry him," Snow replied with a frown.

Regina nodded. "I do. Mother, though, doesn't want me too. And she's willing to do some truly awful things to prevent me from doing that."

"Why would she do that? She's your mother."

"I know you are growing up, but there's still so much of the world you do not understand. And you should not yet have to understand it," Regina replied, taking the girls' hands in her own. "Just know that you were so fortunate to have had a mother who loved you and wanted your happiness before anything. Not all of us have that."

Snow looked down, a flurry of emotions passing through her green eyes. Regina knew it was difficult for the young girl, who had been loved and coddled and protected her whole life, to understand. And she knew what it said about her life that the only person she could open up to was a ten-years-old princess, yet here she was.

Looking up at her again, unshed tears filled Snow's eyes. "Do you think you could love the King of Sherwood?"

His words echoing in her head, Regina nodded. Snow smiled. "You once told me that true love is the most powerful magic in the world. If you and the king are true love, then you can overcome any obstacle. You just have to fight for it. I know you can do that, Regina."

"I love your faith in me, Snow, but I am not a fighter," she said. "Fighting my mother never ends well."

"I believe in you, Regina. You need to believe in you and your love. Then everything will fall into place." Snow kissed her cheek before heading back into the palace.

Regina smiled, pulling out the letter again. King Robert's miniature fell out with it and she studied his image once again. His warm blue eyes were imprinted in her mind, eyes she hoped to fall asleep to and wake up to every day. Ones that would make her feel safe and loved for the first time in her life.

Snow was right, she realized. If she wanted that, Regina was going to have to fight for it. And there was only one way to fight someone like her mother—she must fight fire with fire.

Magic terrified Regina and not just because Mother often used it to punish her. Regina feared she herself possessed it and that it could make her as cold and cruel as her Mother should she use it. But now it seemed her only option.

Their rooms were silent as her parents slept on. She crept past their room, clutching a single candle to light her way, and headed down the hall to her mother's private study. Mother had brought all her books and other instruments of magic with her, though Regina didn't know how she planned to use them. Nor did she want to know.

Regina went through her mother's books, looking for something or someone who could help her. A name jumped out at her, someone who could grant wishes-"Rum...Rumpelschtilskin? Rumpelstitskin? Rumpelstilskin?"

"Well, you didn't pronounce it right once, dearie, but here I am!" A cloud of mauve smoke died down to reveal a man not much taller than her. He had skin that seemed to be made of gold and straggly black hair. His piercing, unblinking dark eyes unnerved her and she backed up a bit as she felt chilled down to her very soul.

He let out a high-pitched peal of laughter as he circled her. "So you are Cora's daughter. I've been quite eager to meet you."

"Me? Why?" She clutched onto the table as her legs began to shake.

"I've had great plans for you," he replied, his cold fingers cupping her chin.

She pulled away from him. "I don't want any part of your plans. I just want your help this once."

"I see." He studied her. "And what is it that you need my assistance with?"

"I need to get my mother out of my life," she told him, keeping her voice from shaking. Never show them any weakness. Her mother taught her that.

Rumpelstiltskin nodded. "I see. And what would you give me in return?"

"I am to be a queen. I'll have several riches at my disposal," she replied. "You can have whatever amount suits you."

"I don't need gold." Rumpelstiltskin waved his hand before fixing on her with his eerie eyes. "I prefer other means of repayment."

The hair on the back of her neck stood as her stomach twisted in knots. "What do you want then from me?"

"A favor," he replied. "If I help you now, one day I will come to you and you will do whatever I ask of you. Got it?"

She hesitated. "What kind of favor?"

"That is to be determined. Do we have a deal?" His gaze felt like he was peering into her very soul.

Her gut told her that it was a bad idea. She would be in debt to a madman who could come collecting at any time with any terms. But at the same time, her options for stopping Mother were slim. Regina saw no other way.

"We do," she said.

Rumpelstiltskin laughed and a parchment appeared with a flick of his wrist. He laid it down on the table and snapped to produce a quill. He held it out to her. "Sign on the line."

Taking a deep breath, Regina did so. Everything disappeared and Rumpelstiltskin smiled. "Pleasure doing business with you. Now, here's what you have to do..."

"Mother, I am to dine with King Leopold tonight," Regina said the following afternoon. "Can you help me choose a dress to wear?"

Mother frowned, her brown eyes narrowing as she studied her. "You never ask my opinion. Why now?"

Regina took a deep breath, praying her lie would work. This plan was her only hope. "I was hoping to convince Leopold to marry me again. So I need the perfect dress."

"Oh, Regina." Mother cupped her chin, smiling. "I'm glad you've seen reason. Let's go make you irresistible to the old king."

Following her mother into her study, Regina took another calming breath. It was now or never, she thought as she glanced at the mirror Rumpelstiltskin had given her. "Should I stand by the mirror?"

"Yes, dear. Now, what color would work best for you?" Mother studied her, finger tapping against her lips.

Regina held her breath, waiting for the right moment. "Maybe blue?" she suggested.

"Blue? It does suit you," Mother agreed. "But you should wear something more...royal...if you want to impress King Leopold."

"Purple, then?"

Mother scoffed. "If you want to be literal, Regina. But we don't want to be."

"So what color do you suggest?"

"Gold," Mother decided. "And something that shows off a bit of cleavage. We'll have to do some lifting to make it appear you have more than you do, but it can be done."

Regina frowned, stung by her mother's laced insult, but she gritted her teeth and endured it. "Of course, Mother."

Mother stepped closer, tilting Regina's chin up. "I also know the perfect makeup for you. It'll really improve your features and hide your imperfections."

Forcing herself not to jerk away and to take her mother's criticisms, Regina replied: "Yes, Mother."

"Just think, Regina, you'll be queen. And given Leopold's advance age, there is a good chance he'll die before Snow comes of age. You'll be her Regent and have all that power in your hands. Just imagine what we can do with that."

"We?" Regina asked, feeling like she was discovering a puzzle piece she hadn't realized was missing. One that had been hiding in plain sight.

Mother nodded. "I'm your mother, darling. Who better to guide you through these shark-infested waters? I'll be with you forever."

She had stepped in front of Regina, the mirror reflecting her back. Regina squared her shoulders, seizing her chance. "No, you won't, Mother."

"What do you mean?" Mother asked, frowning.

"I mean that I am taking control of my own life," she explained. "You won't be able to hurt me or those I love anymore. Goodbye, Mother."

Regina pushed her mother, sending the woman falling back against the mirror. The glass rippled like water as Mother passed through it. She grasped onto the frame, holding on for dear life. For the first time in her life, Regina saw Mother beg. "Regina, don't do this."

For a moment, Regina wanted to reach out and pull her mother back. To fall to her knees and beg for Mother's forgiveness. But then the miniature of the king of Sherwood flashed in her mind, the promise of a better future. So she stayed rooted to her spot as Mother's grip loosened and she was pulled into the mirror. The glass shattered and Regina turned to prevent any shards from hurting her.

"Regina! Cora!" Daddy raced into the room, eyes wide. He looked at the broken glass on the floor and rushed toward his daughter. "Are you hurt? What happened? Where's your mother?"

Her head was spinning and it took some time for Regina to process her father's questions though the fog. She then answered in order: "I'm fine. The mirror broke. I sent her to another realm."

"What?" Henry paused his examination and gently grasped her chin, forcing her to look in his eyes. "Regina, what are you saying?"

"We're free. She's gone and can't come back." She expected to feel elation, to start laughing. But she felt nothing. It was as if she was watching this happen to someone else.

He wrapped his arms around her, rocking her. "Using magic is dangerous, Regina."

"I know," she whispered. "I promise this was the only time, Daddy. But I couldn't let her keep controlling my life. She would never let me go to Sherwood, to marry King Robert. I had to."

Nodding, Henry soothed his daughter. "You go to bed early, my dear. Get plenty of rest. I'll come up with a cover story to explain your mother's disappearance. We will never speak of this again."

"I promise," Regina whispered before shuffling off to bed. As she climbed in, she finally felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She would wake up in the morning and Mother would've be hovering to dictate her day. Regina would be able to do whatever she wanted whenever she wanted and all would be safe.

Pulling the blankets over her head, she felt giddy. Her life was finally hers. And she was going to start over in Sherwood as Robert's queen, with Daddy at her side.

A/N: I decided to rewrite the second half of this chapter and did so within two hours. So I apologize for any typos I may have overlooked and that Word's Spellcheck didn't pick up. It's not always that reliable, after all.

Anyway, now you know what Regina's dark secret is. She's made a deal with Rumple and we all know how those turn out. What favor will he ask? And how will it affect her marriage to Robin? Well, we'll deal with that later in the story.

Chapter Four should go up next week—we'll return to Sherwood and see how Robin's council reacts to his marriage. Then the week after that, I hope to have the first chapter of the sequel to The Prince of Darkness—The Dark Legacy—ready and posted. If all goes well, this story will then alternate with that one.

Once again, thank you all for your support! It has meant so much to me so far and I hope it continues as this story progresses.

Have a good weekend!

-Mac